( v o i c e )

[likeboudica]

I must admit that the flow of visitors may be a little overwhelming, but— if there is someone from the Institute here, if only for a day or two, I should like to make my own presence known, rather than spend all day in the library.

I only ask that— [ she pauses, clearly hesitant, before her voice comes again, stronger now and quite firm ] that whoever should wish to talk to me will not be too forward.

[ it doesn't quite express what she wishes to say (please, take care not to offend my 18th century sensibilities) but it comes close enough while still remaining polite ]

Comments

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[likeboudica]

Tessa is fine, sir.

[ the bow makes her smile, but she tries to hide it— at least until he mentioned Doctor McCoy. ]

You are from Doctor McCoy's world, then? He must be quite happy that you are here.

(action)

[candothat]

Tessa, yes, thank you. I am Ensign Pavel Andreievich Chekov--just Pavel, I think, would be easiest?

Yes, and we were both stationed on the Enterprise. [He purses his lips in an almost-smile.] Happy? Maybe not, but I can hope so.

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[likeboudica]

It is a pleasure to meet you, Pavel. [ and, ever curious: ] Where are you from?

I think he misses those from his own time.

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[candothat]

Russia: Novgorod first, and then Moscow. [Hope that accent isn't throwing Tessa off too much.] And you, Tessa?

He misses talking to others who understand what he says, he told me. I would be very homesick if I was here with no one else from home to talk to.

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[likeboudica]

I spent most of my life in New York, but I was in London before I came here. [ a beat. ] In 1878. [ most people ask, sooner or later, though perhaps McCoy has told him as much already. ]

It is quite strange to be in a place with people from so many different times and backgrounds.

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[candothat]

I have heard of both of those cities. I wonder if you would recognize them if you were to visit them in 2258?

It is. Are you uncomfortable here?

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[likeboudica]

Likely not. Perhaps some of the more recogniseable landmarks, if they are still standing by then. 2258 is very far into the future, for me. And likely we are not even from the same universe.

Oh, no. I rather like it here, to be honest.

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[candothat]

Ai, I keep forgetting that there are so many universes! Multiple universes are easy to think about theoretically, but difficult to conceive most of the time.

[He looks genuinely surprised.]

Good! But it's nothing like 1878, is it?

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[likeboudica]

Your world has aliens, which I do not think mine has, but mine has shadowhunters and downworlders. Doctor McCoy tells me you do not have those.

[ she's smiling a little, but it vanishes soon enough. ] It is very far from what I am used to, indeed, but— perhaps it is wrong of me, but I feel safer here than in my own world.

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[candothat]

No, nothing that goes by those names.

[This lack of smiling is a very serious problem.]

Why is that wrong? I would like to stay away from a world with... what did you say? Shadowhunters? I would stay away from them, also.

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[likeboudica]

Vampires and fae and warlocks are all downworlders.

Oh, no, the Shadowhunters have, for the most part, been very kind to me. [ with the notable exception of Will, particularly that one time, but even that is slowly resolving, or so Tessa hopes ] It is not as though I can choose to remain here, and even if I could— I feel it better to know a painful truth to a pretty lie, and the safety the City offers is no more than a pretty lie.

[ a pause, and then, softer: ] Besides, it is not as though Mortmain could not arrive here at any time.

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[candothat]

You will be miserable if you always think this way. Can you sometimes enjoy the lie? This is what I do: when I think that the ship will be destroyed by Romulans or ripped apart by a black hole and everyone will die, I say to myself, "Right now, no one has died and the ship is still flying. If I concentrate on navigating, things will stay this way." I know that isn't true, but I tell myself that it is and I worry less.

[Maybe it's not the same for Tessa.]

If that person comes here, Doctor McCoy will take care of you.

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[likeboudica]

I have been enjoying my time here, for the most part. [ frowning ] It does not seem right to do so, but it is not as though I can go home.

What are Romulans?

[ Shaking her head. ] I know that he would want to. He's very kind, truly, but if Mortmain arrives here, it would be best if he does not try to protect me. I would not wish for him to get hurt because of me.

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[candothat]

Romulans are unpleasant. If you meet one, run away.

He will try anyway. Everyone in Starfleet in very stubborn; that is required. [thoroughly intrigued] Why would this Mortmain be after you?

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[likeboudica]

How would I recognise one?

Do they hire you only if you are particularly stubborn? [ a flash of humour, before she continues. talking about Mortmain isn't a particularly humourous topic ] He is obsessed with me, because of what I can do. He built an army to get to me, and had me kidnapped and wishes to marry me.

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[candothat]

He would likely tell you that he is a Romulan and that he is seeking revenge, and then he would attack you. Run while he is talking; they are very long-winded.

It takes stubbornness to do well at the Academy.

[He instantly regrets his curiosity. Tessa needs to be cheered up, not reminded of serious things.]

Whatever you can do, he isn't courting you correctly.

(action) (adskjh;asda he is so adorable, how is he so adorable?)

[likeboudica]

I will be certain to keep that in mind, then.

[ nodding ] I would rather kill myself than marry him. Fortunately, there has always been another way so far.

(action) (it's a superpower? sadklfjstill not sure I'm doing it right)

[candothat]

[It takes him a moment to process this "rather kill myself" notion.]

Never kill yourself, ma'a--mi--Tessa. That is another thing Starfleet teaches. If you are still alive, even if you have been married to someone who kidnaps you, you have a chance to escape or be saved.

[...]

I may have paraphrased that slightly.

(action) (you're utterly brilliant at him ;; )

[likeboudica]

[ Tessa shakes her head, mutely now. she can appreciate the principle, but this is something she is absolutely certain of: she would rather die than let axel mortmain use her and her abilities. she couldn't go through captivity again, the last time had been terrible enough — and mortmain hadn't even been around then ]

What is the actual phrasing?

(action) (all key-smashing goes here)

[candothat]

[Tessa's reaction is very discouraging. It's impolite to push delicate issues at home and it would be wildly out of line to argue, so Chekov convinces his curiosity to let it go.]

More, "When alive, escape or rescue is possible. When dead, there are no options." [He frowns.] Or perhaps my father said that. Either way, it is good advice.

(action) (any chance at all you could be enabled to bring him in permanently? ;;)

[likeboudica]

It is.

[ taking a deep breath. ] Would you like to go to a café, Pavel, or for a walk in the park?

(action) (there is! I'm most definitely thinking about it, especially now))

[candothat]

I hope you will consider it.

[He smiles. This is much more comfortable than talking about dying.] I would like either! Oh--ah, the park, perhaps? I have none of this city's currency.

(action) (alkdjalks PLEASE DO IT)

[likeboudica]

It is not as though I would like to die.

[ a quick smile ] I could pay for the coffee. I hear that is acceptable in the future.

(action) (o//////o I'll work on an app)

[candothat]

Good. There are people who would rather you not want to die, as well.

[gasp!] In Russia, that is never acceptable. ...Since we are not in Russia, though, it is allowable if you will let me pay you back in the future.

(action) (yesss do it! and i might go look at my uhura app some more >.>)

[likeboudica]

Yes, that is likely true. [ a pause, and then, because it seems relevant: ] we both thought he was my father. It was a curse, though.

Is Russia behind the times, then, or is it a cultural thing? [ sliding a hand into the crook of his arm. ] I will be certain to remind you to pay me back.